Machine fob bending hay-forks



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NATHAN BRAND, OF LEONARDSVILLE, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR BENDING- HAY-FORKS.

Specication of Letters Patent N o. 15,118, dated June 17, 1856.

To all whom t may concern Be itl known that I, NATHAN BRAND, of

Leonardsville, in the county of Madison and Figure 1, is a plan or top view of my improved machine, the jaw being raised and thrown back, and the wings distended. Fig. 2, is a side View of ditto, the wing nearest the eye being removed and the die on which the shank is formed being bisected vertically through its center.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures.

This invention relates to a new and improved machine for bending forks for agricultural purposes such as hay forks, etc., and consists in the combination of a stationary and movable jaw and movable wings or side levers constructed and arranged as will be presently shown, whereby the forks after leaving the hands of the forger have their tines and shanks bent and formed in a perfect and expeditious manner.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A, represents a stationary jaw the sides of which are nearly parallel and meet in front in the form of a bow, as shown in Fig. 1. The sides of the jaw project upward a certain distance forming a sort of box. 0n the outer sides of the jaw there is a ledge or side projection (a) which extends around the front and sides of the jaw. The upper surface of this ledge or side projection is curved to correspond to the desired form of the tines of the fork, see Fig. 2. At the front end of the stationary jaw A, there is a die B, the upper surface of which is inclined as shown in Fig. 2.

C, is a movable aw attached by a shaft or bolt (b) to the back part of the stationary jaw A. The sides and front of the jaw C, fit over the sides and front of the stationary jaw A, like the cover of a box and the edge of the movable jaw is curved so as to correspond inversely with the upper surface specification, in

of the ledge or side projection sides of the stationary jaw A.

D, D, are wings or side levers which are secured at one end by bolts (o) to the sides of the die B, see Fig. l. The shape of the wings or side levers correspond to the shape of the sides of the stationary die A, to the lower edges of the wings or levers D, there are attached pins or arms (d) (d), one to each, which pins or arms tit in eyes on the outer ends of levers E, E, the inner ends of these levers being fitted on the upper end of a bent lever F. The lower end of the bent lever is attached by a link G to a spring treadle H, shown more particularly in Fig. 2. The upper end of the bent lever F works in a slot (e) cut through the bottom of the jaw A, and the platform or bench I, on which the jaw is secured.

To the outer end of the movable jaw C, there is a ledge (f) which may be considered as a male die, this ledge when the movable jaw C, is brought over the stationary jaw A, fits in the die B, and the edge of the ledge (f) is inclined so as to correspond inversely with the die B.

Operation: The forks when received from the forgers hands are straight or nearly so, the tines and shank being on the same level or line. The fork is placed in a heated state on the stationary aw A, a tine extending along each side of the jaw A. The spring treadle H, is then depressed and the wilngs or side levers D, D, are forced against the sides of the stationary jaw A, and the tines of the fork are bent laterally of the desired form corresponding to the shape of the jaw A. The movable jaw C, is then brought down over the jaw A, and the edges of the jaw C, bend the tines downward corresponding to the form of the ledge (a), the tines being pressed between the ledge (a) and the edge of the jaw C, see red dotted lines Fig. 2, which represent the fork and also the black dotted lines which represent the jaw C, as being over the stat-ionary jaw A. The shank of the fork is also properly formed, the proper inclination being given it by the ledge (f) which compresses it upon the die B.

The particular advantages of this machine over others in use are the precision and accuracy with which every fork is bent and the true and proper shape of the shank,

the latter' never before having been accomplished in any other machine. It is impossible to forge each tine of a fork alike at all times, and When not alike, or When they do not have a true and proper taper, the usual 'modes of bending With springs Will leave short crooks or bunches on the tines or give an imperfect side bend when one prong is stiffer or heavier than the other, further, the simplicity and durability of the machine, requiring no gearing or other machinery to Work the same, and double the amount of forks can be turned out With this over any other machine With which I am acquainted.

I am aware that numerous machines have been made with a former and vibrating arms or levers for bending pieces of Wire and metal for various purposes, therefore I do not claim such devices When so used, but

What I do claim in the above described arranged as to give the tines the curve re` quired and press the shank into the score in the die B, and give it the proper position in relation to the tines substantially as described.

NATHAN BRAND.

Vitnesses:

A. T. BROWN, FRED E. CARPENTER. 

